Photographic camera with externally accessible drive coupling having releasable anti-backup feature

ABSTRACT

A photographic camera (426) is disclosed which may include an external housing (428, 478) having a movable closure (484) giving access to a film guide track (566) within the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed film chamber (562) and an exposed film chamber (564), a rotatable sprocket (530) for driving film along the guide track, and a driven gear (508) operatively connected to rotate the sprocket. The camera is characterized by a coupling (476) accessible externally of the housing and operatively connected to the driven gear, the driven gear and the coupling being mounted for axial movement in the housing; an anti-backup gear (514) mounted for rotation and axial movement with the driven gear; and a device (516-525) for preventing reverse rotation of the driven gear in a first axial position of the coupling and for allowing rotation of the driven gear in either direction in a second axial position of the coupling.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following commonly assignedapplications:

(1) Ser. No. 08/370,592 filed 9 Jan. 1995 by Dennis R. Zander for FILMLOADING/UNLOADING DESIGN FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA;

(2) Ser. No. 08/391,757 filed 21 Feb. 1995 by Dennis R. Zander for FILMROLL ACCUMULATING DEVICE;

(3) Ser. No. 60/001,515 filed 18 Jul. 1995 by Jeffrey C. Robertson forLIGHT TIGHT CHAMBER WITH CLOSURE AND SENSOR FOR POSITION OF CLOSURE ANDCASSETTE IN CHAMBER;

(4) Ser. No. 60/002,644 filed 22 Aug. 1995 by Jeffrey C. Robertson forEXTERNALLY DRIVEABLE CASSETTE FOR LIGHT SENSITIVE WEB MATERIAL,INCLUDING KNIFE FOR CUTTING MATERIAL;

(5) Ser. No. 60/002,645 filed 22 Aug. 1995 by Jeffrey C. Robertson forEXTERNALLY DRIVEABLE CASSETTE FOR LIGHT SENSITIVE WEB MATERIAL,INCLUDING KNIFE FOR CUTTING MATERIAL AND METHOD OF OPERATION;

(6) Ser. No. 60/002,646 filed 22 Aug. 1995 by Jeffrey C. Robertson,Bradley S. Bush and Eric P. Hochreiter for EXTERNALLY DRIVEABLE CASSETTEFOR LIGHT SENSITIVE WEB MATERIAL, INCLUDING KNIFE FOR CUTTING MATERIALAND METHOD OF OPERATION;

(7) Ser. No. 60/002,647 filed 22 Aug. 1995 by Jeffrey C. Robertson forEXTERNALLY DRIVEABLE CASSETTE FOR LIGHT-SENSITIVE WEB MATERIAL,INCLUDING KNIFE FOR CUTTING MATERIAL AND LATCHING CASSETTE DRIVE AFTERCUTTING;

(8) Ser. No. 60/002,854 filed 28 Aug. 1995 by Dennis R. Zander, Eric P.Hochreiter and William A. Bergstresser for METHOD AND APPARATUS FORPRECISELY POSITIONING A CAMERA OR CAMERA FRAME;

(9) Ser. No. 08/569,634 filed 8 Dec. 1995 by Dennis R. Zander, WilliamA. Bergstresser, Bradley S. Bush, Eric P. Hochreiter, Jeffrey C.Robertson and Paul Teremy for APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOADING ANDUNLOADING A CAMERA WITH A DISCRETE FILM STRIP (Docket 71956CES);

(10) Ser. No. 08/569,054 filed 8 Dec. 1995 by William A. Bergstresser,Bradley S. Bush, Eric P. Hochreiter and Dennis R. Zander for APPARATUSFOR ACTUATING AND TESTING A CAMERA;

(11) Ser. No. 08/569,957 filed 8 Dec. 1995 by Dennis R. Zander, PaulTeremy and Eric P. Hochreiter for APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOADING ACAMERA;

(12) Ser. No. 08/569,557 filed 8 Dec. 1995 by Dennis R. Zander and PaulTeremy for PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA WITH COUNTERWHEEL HAVING OFFSET MARK;

(13) Ser. No. 08/569,543 filed 8 Dec. 1995 by Dennis R. Zander, PaulTeremy, William A. Bergstresser, Eric P. Hochreiter and Scott H.Schwallie for APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOADING AND PARTIALLY UNLOADING ACAMERA WITH A DISCRETE FILM STRIP;

(14) Ser. No. 08/569,558 filed 8 Dec. 1995 by Dennis R. Zander forPHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA INCLUDING FEATURES FOR POSITIONING AN EXTERNAL FILMLOADING AND UNLOADING DEVICE (Docket 73228CES);

(15) Ser. No. 08/569,464 filed 8 Dec. 1995 by Eric P. Hochreiter,Bradley S. Bush, Stephen M. Granby and Dennis R. Zander for APPARATUSFOR LOADING AND UNLOADING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM INTO OR FROM A CAMERA;

(16) Ser. No. 08/569,633 filed 8 Dec. 1995 by William A. Bergstresser,Eric P. Hochreiter, Paul Teremy and Dennis R. Zander for APPARATUS ANDMETHOD FOR OPENING AND CLOSING A PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to cameras into or from which a discrete filmstrip can be loaded or unloaded, the discrete strip not requiring aseparate light shielding cartridge or other light shielding wrapperwithin the camera. More particularly, the invention concerns such acamera having features which enable the camera to cooperate with anexternal camera drive assembly for driving film into or from the camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional photographic cameras are designed to accept unexposed filmwhich has been enclosed in a light shielding cartridge or other lightshielding wrapper, to facilitate loading and unloading the camerawithout exposing the film. Many consumers find such cartridges orwrapped film to be difficult to load into or unload from a camera. Thecosts of such a cartridge or other wrapper and associated commercialpackaging are significant components of the cost to the ultimateconsumer. In addition, this known practice requires a film manufacturerto maintain an inventory of cartridges or rolls of film with variouspre-selected lengths of film.

In recent years, so-called single use or disposable cameras have becomepopular, such as those disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.4,890,130 and 5,235,366. While such cameras do not require the consumerto load or unload the film, the costs to the manufacturer continue to behigh for disassembling such cameras to remove a factory-installed filmcartridge and recover reusable parts. And, an inventory of cameras withvarious lengths of film still must be maintained.

Commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/370,592 disclosesa unique type of camera which can be loaded with a discrete length ofunexposed film of a length selected by the consumer and subsequentlyunloaded of a discrete length of exposed film. Since such cameras do notuse a cartridge or pre-wound spool of film to facilitate loading andunloading, there is a general problem of driving the film strip into orfrom the camera. Thus, a need has arisen for the camera to includefeatures which will cooperate with an external camera drive assembly todrive film into or from the camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the invention is to provide a camera which canbe driven externally to drive a discrete film strip into or from thecamera.

A further objective of the invention is to provide such a camera inwhich an anti-backup feature, normally engaged during use of the cameraby a consumer, can be released to enable a discrete film strip to bedriven in either direction within the camera.

These objectives are given only by way of illustrative examples; thusother desirable objectives and advantages inherently achieved by thedisclosed invention may occur or become apparent to those skilled in theart. Nonetheless, the scope of the invention is to be limited only bythe appended claims.

A photographic camera according to the invention may include an externalhousing having a movable closure giving access to a film guide trackwithin the camera, the guide track extending between an unexposed filmchamber and an exposed film chamber, a rotatable sprocket for drivingfilm along the guide track, and a driven gear operatively connected torotate the sprocket. The camera of the invention is characterized by acoupling accessible externally of the housing and operatively connectedto the driven gear, the driven gear and the coupling being mounted foraxial movement in the housing; an anti-backup gear mounted for rotationand axial movement with the driven gear; and means for preventingreverse rotation of the driven gear in a first axial position of thecoupling and for allowing rotation of the driven gear in eitherdirection in a second axial position of the coupling.

The means for preventing and allowing may include a pawl resilientlymounted within the housing, the pawl comprising a locking tooth forengaging the anti-backup gear in the first axial position and a camsurface engaged by the anti-backup gear as the coupling moves to thesecond axial position, the cam surface being configured to move the pawland pull the locking tooth out of engagement with the anti-backup gear.Preferably, the coupling, anti-backup gear and driven gear are mountedcoaxially. The cam surface may move radially inwardly at one end of theanti-backup gear, to enable the locking tooth to reengage theanti-backup gear when the coupling moves to the first axial position.The sprocket may be mounted coaxially with an intermediate gear whichmeshes with the driven gear, the driven gear having an axial lengthsufficient to enable the driven gear to remain meshed with theintermediate gear as the driven gear moves between the first and secondaxial positions. The driven gear and the sprocket may be geared one toone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objectives, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a camera loading and unloadingapparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the control console pivotedback to permit removal of the upper housing.

FIG. 3A shows the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the upper and lower housingsremoved.

FIG. 3B shows a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus of FIG.3A, looking from the right end of FIG. 3A and from below the level ofthe mechanism support plate.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective, partially broken away and partially explodedview of the cassette for unexposed film.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged, fragmentary view of features for driving andguiding film from the cassette.

FIG. 6 shows a fragmentary view of the underside of the film cutter ofthe cassette.

FIG. 7 shows a view along line 7--7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows a view along line 8--8 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged, fragmentary perspective front view of featuresfor actuating the film cutter of the cassette and for operating thecassette, and of the cutter and cartridge for exposed film.

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged, fragmentary perspective rear view of thefeatures for actuating the film cutter of the cassette and for operatingthe cassette.

FIG. 11 shows a view along line 11--11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged, perspective rear view of the film loading andunloading tracks, looking from the perspective of the cassette.

FIG. 13 shows a view along line 13--13 of FIG. 12, with details of theloading and unloading tracks.

FIG. 14 shows an enlarged, perspective front view of the camera nest,the camera actuating and testing station, and the exposed film cutterand cartridge.

FIG. 15 shows the camera nest with a camera installed, prior to movementof the nest to the camera testing and actuating station.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the back and bottom surfaces of thecamera.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic view of film advancing gearing within thecamera.

FIG. 18 shows an enlarged, partially broken away view of the externallyaccessible drive coupling, prior to engagement by the drive spindle.

FIG. 19 shows the features of FIG. 18, after engagement with the drivespindle.

FIG. 20 shows an enlarged, perspective view of the anti-backup pawl ofFIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 21A shows a fragmentary, partially broken away perspective backview of the camera, indicating features of the thumbwheel, zero lockingpawl and counterwheel.

FIGS. 21B and 21C show alternative embodiments of the counterwheel ofFIG. 21.

FIG. 22 shows the features of FIG. 21 and also the opened back door ofthe camera, revealing internal features which cooperate with thestructure of FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 23A shows a view along line 23--23 of FIG. 22, revealing how theguide track cooperates with the camera.

FIG. 23B shows a fragmentary perspective view from the back of thecamera, with the back of the camera housing removed to reveal details ofthe film guide track and stop ledge.

FIG. 24 shows a view along line 24--24 of FIG. 15, revealing features ofthe camera drive assembly.

FIG. 25 shows fragmentary, partially broken away perspective back viewof the camera, the camera actuating and testing station and the cameradoor opening mechanism.

FIG. 26 shows a perspective back view of the camera door openingmechanism.

FIG. 27 shows a perspective front view of the camera door openingmechanism.

FIG. 28 shows a fragmentary sectional view of the camera door and thedoor opening mechanism, just prior to engagement.

FIG. 29 shows the features of FIG. 28, just after engagement.

FIG. 30 shows the features of FIG. 28, just after opening the door.

FIG. 31 shows a front perspective view of the camera actuating andtesting station.

FIG. 32 shows a sectional view of the camera and guide track, justbefore opening the camera door.

FIG. 33 shows a fragmentary back perspective view of the camera andguide track, just after opening the camera door, with the film guideramps contacting the film within the camera.

FIG. 34 shows the features of FIG. 33, just after the film has beenwound back toward the unexposed film chamber and the film guide rampshave moved further into position within the camera.

FIG. 35 shows a fragmentary back perspective view of the nest andcamera, the camera actuating and testing station, the film guide tracks,the exposed film cutter and the transfer cartridge, with the camera dooropen and a strip of film entering the camera.

FIG. 36 shows a perspective view of the transfer cartridge.

FIG. 37 shows a sectional view along line 37--37 of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 shows a sectional view along line 38--38 of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 shows an exploded, perspective view of the transfer cartridge.

FIG. 40 shows an exploded, front perspective view of the exposed filmcutter.

FIG. 41 shows an exploded, back perspective view of the exposed filmcutter.

FIG. 42 shows a front perspective view of the mechanism for actuatingthe exposed film cutter and driving the transfer cartridge.

FIG. 43 shows a front perspective view of the features of FIG. 42, plusthe exposed film cutter and transfer cartridge.

FIG. 44 shows a back perspective view of the exposed film cutter andtransfer cartridge.

FIG. 45 shows a front perspective view of the exposed film cutter andtransfer cartridge.

FIG. 46 shows a fragmentary top view of the exposed film cutter andtransfer cartridge with the mouth into the cartridge still closed.

FIG. 47 shows the features of FIG. 46 with the mouth into the cartridgeopen.

FIG. 48 shows a view along line 48--48 of FIG. 3, indicating features ofthe drive mechanism of the apparatus.

FIGS. 49, 50, 51, 52, 53A, 53B, 53C, and 54 show flow charts of thecontrol logic for the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments ofthe invention, reference being made to the drawings in which the samereference numerals identify the same elements of structure in each ofthe several Figures.

OVERALL ARRANGEMENT AND OPERATION

FIGS. 1 to 3A show front perspective views of the overall apparatus 10.As used in this description, "front" views are taken essentially fromthe perspective of FIGS. 1 to 3A; whereas, "back" views are takenessentially from the opposite perspective. A central mechanism supportplate or frame 12 is positioned between a lower housing 14 provided withhand holds 16 and an upper housing 18. For light tightness, the housingsshould be made from a suitable opaque material such as metal or moldedplastic. A peripheral groove 19 is provided in an upper surface ofsupport plate 12 and a similar groove, not illustrated, is provided inan under surface of the support plate. These grooves respectivelyreceive a mating land on a lower edge of upper housing 18 and a matingland on an upper edge of lower housing 14, to provide a light-tightinterior. Though the illustrated embodiment includes a housing suitablefor a type of counter top apparatus, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the internal apparatus of the invention also could beincorporated into any light tight environment, such as a larger, vendingmachine format or a darkened room, all without departing from the scopeof the invention.

At the left end of the upper housing, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, amovable closure, such as an L-shaped end door 20, is mounted by a hinge22, to provide access to a compartment for a cassette 24 for unexposedphotographic film. Although a closed cassette is preferred for a sourceof unexposed film, those skilled in the art will appreciate that adiscrete roll of film also could be used in accordance with theinvention, though loading of the apparatus would then need to beaccomplished in a darkened environment, where the film could not beexposed by ambient radiation. At the right end of the upper housing, atop door 26 is mounted by a hinge 28, to provide access to anirregularly shaped recess 30 in a top wall of upper housing 18. Suitablegaskets or land and groove seals, not illustrated, should be providedaround end door 20 and top door 26 to ensure light tightness when thedoors are closed. A catch 44 on top door 26 and catches 46 on end door20 are provided to hold the doors shut when the apparatus is in use.

Through a bottom wall of recess 30 is provided an essentiallyrectangular opening 32 for insertion and removal of a camera to beloaded or unloaded. Also through the bottom wall of recess 30 isprovided an oblong opening 34 for insertion and removal of a transfercartridge for exposed film. Rigidly affixed to an under side of top door26 is a downwardly depending actuating lever 36 which extends through anopening 38 in the bottom wall of recess 30 to coact with a camera nestto be described subsequently. Attached to an underside of door 26 is aretainer bracket 40 which supports a resilient pad 42 in position toengage a front surface of a camera positioned within the apparatus whenthe door is closed. Pad 42 thus is compressed and holds the camera downand toward the back of the apparatus. A grille 48 is provided on lowerhousing 14 to cover a cooling air inlet to the electronic controller ofthe apparatus. A pivotable control console or operator interface 50 issupported on a back edge of support plate 12 and includes a key pad 52for entering customer and other information and a visual display 54.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, console 50 can be pivoted up and back topermit removal of the upper housing for access to the internalcomponents of the apparatus. Support plate 12 is mounted within lowerhousing 14 on a plurality of downwardly extended support legs 60. On anupper surface of the support plate, a compartment for cassette 24 isdefined, in part, by a rear wall 62 and a front wall 64. A ledge 66 maybe provided on back wall 62 to support a guide flange 68 extended alongone side of cassette 24 as seen best in FIG. 5. Ledge 66 and flange 68thus cooperate to ensure proper orientation of the cassette. An interiorstop wall 70 extends from front wall 64 toward back wall 62, to limitmovement of the cassette into the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 3A, cassette 24 is positioned to feed unexposed filminto an unexposed film loading means such as a track 72 which extendsessentially to the right on support plate 12. Toward the right end ofthe apparatus, a camera nest 74 is pivotably mounted at 76. In theposition shown in FIG. 3A, nest 74 is directly below opening 32, topermit insertion or removal of a camera. As will be discussed in greaterdetail subsequently, a spring 78, visible in FIG. 3B, biases nest 74 torotate clockwise from the position of FIGS. 3A and 15, toward the backof the apparatus to the position of FIGS. 3B, 25 and 35. In the latterposition, an electromagnet assembly 81, visible in FIG. 3B, secures thenest to enable the camera to cooperate with film loading track 72 andwith features of a camera actuating and testing station 80. Although apivoted nest is illustrated, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat nest 74 could be mounted to slide without pivoting between aposition for receiving a camera and a position for actuating and testingthe camera. Alternatively, actuating and testing station 80 could bemounted to move into engagement with a stationary nest, withoutdeparting from our invention. An exposed film unloading means such as atrack 82 is provided to accept exposed film from the camera and guidethe film through a cutter 84 to a transfer cartridge 86 where theexposed film is wound on a spool. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that transfer cartridge 86 could be omitted and unloadingtrack 82 configured to guide the exposed film directly to a photographicprocessor, not illustrated.

From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will understandthe general operation of the apparatus. A cassette 24 of unexposed filmis inserted into the apparatus and door 20 is closed and latched. Acamera to be loaded or unloaded is inserted through opening 32 into nest74. Assuming the camera is to be completely or partially unloaded, atransfer cartridge 86 is inserted through opening 34. Top door 26 isthen closed and latched. To prevent opening of doors 20 and 26 duringoperations of the apparatus, solenoid actuated locks, not shown, may beused. Closure of the top door causes actuating lever 36 to pivot towardthe back of the apparatus, thereby permitting spring 78 to rotate nest74 into position before camera actuating and testing station 80, whereelectromagnet 81 secures the nest. Customer information and informationabout the status of the camera are then entered via console 50. If thecamera has a flash feature and is to be loaded with film, the flash maybe tested at this time. A door on the camera is opened and then:

(a) If the camera is empty, unexposed film is driven from cassette 24and guided along loading track 72 into the camera. When a desired lengthof film has been loaded, a knife in the cassette cuts the film and adiscrete cut strip is driven into the camera. In accordance with theinvention, the discrete strip does not require any separate lightshielding cartridge or paper within the camera.

(b) If the camera is full of exposed film, the exposed film is drivenfrom the camera and guided along unloading track 82, through cutter 84and into transfer cartridge 86. The camera then may be reloaded, ifdesired.

(c) If the camera contains a partially exposed length of film, theexposed portion is driven from the camera into transfer cartridge 86 andthe film is cut by cutter 84. The remaining unexposed film is thendriven back into the camera.

After the camera has been loaded or unloaded, as the case may be, thedoor on the camera is closed. Electromagnet 81 is deenergized and thesolenoid locks, if provided on doors 20 and 26, are released. Top door26 may then be opened, which causes actuating lever 36 to engage nest 74to swing the nest back beneath opening 32 where the camera may beremoved. Transfer cartridge 86 also may be removed and sent to aphotographic processor.

CASSETTE 24

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 8, those skilled in the art can understandthe structure and operation of one cassette 24 suitable for use inapparatus 10. The cassette comprises a rigid, opaque body or housing 100which may be made from any suitable material such as molded plastic,metal or the like. A bottom wall 102 is L-shaped at one end where thecassette mates with stop wall 70 and rounded at the other end where aroll of photographic film is mounted. Extended upwardly from and aroundbottom wall 102 is a peripheral wall 104. A removable cover 106 mateswith an upper edge of wall 104 to close the cassette. Within thecassette, a roll 108 of photographic film, shown fragmentarily in FIG.5, is wound on a central core 110 which is rotatably supported on a stubshaft 220, shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 5, a lead end 112 of thefilm is wrapped partially around an idler roller 114 supported forrotation on an upwardly extended shaft 116 mounted to bottom wall 102.Means are provided in the cassette for engaging the lead end to drivethe web material from the cassette. The lead end wraps partially arounda driven sprocket roller 118 supported for rotation with an upwardlyextended drive shaft 120 whose lower end extends through an opening inbottom wall 102 for a purpose to be discussed subsequently. A pluralityof teeth 122 on the sprocket roller engage edge perforations 124 alongat least one edge of the film. A spring-biased keeper 126 is pivotablymounted on an upwardly extended shaft 128. A pair of contact pads 130,only one of which is visible in FIG. 5, engage the edges of the film tohold the film in engagement with the sprocket roller. An anti-backuppawl 132, formed integrally with the keeper, engages a saw toothedratchet wheel 134 attached at an upper end of the sprocket roller, toprevent reverse rotation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thata pair of nip rollers could be used rather than a sprocket roller,without departing from the scope of the invention. Alternatively, atoothed belt drive or a reciprocating vacuum shuttle could be used forshort lengths of web. An exit slit 136 extends through peripheral wall104 opposite sprocket roller 118. A raised lip 137 extends substantiallyaround an upper surface of peripheral wall 104 to mate with acorresponding groove, not illustrated, on an under side of cover 106,thereby providing a seal against entry of light into the cassette.

On the exterior of housing 100 adjacent slit 136 is provided anessentially L-shaped recess 138 which extends along side wall 104 andalso wraps around onto an under surface of wail 102. Recess 138slideably receives a knife comprising a sliding knife holder 140 onwhich is mounted a flat knife blade 142 having a leading, angled cuttingedge 144. A front surface of recess 138 in peripheral wall 104 is angledinwardly at an acute angle α between a plane of wall 104 and a plane ofthe recess, to enable blade 142 to provide a tapered or angled leadingedge 145 on the film. Preferably, angle α is about 10°. See FIG. 5. Thelead end of the film leaving the cassette must thread along film loadingtrack 72. Angled leading edge 145 eases entry into and passage along theloading track and into the camera. Within recess 138 and adjacent exitslit 136 is provided an essentially J-shaped recess 146. Acorrespondingly shaped knife bed 148 is fixedly mounted in recess 146with an edge 150 essentially aligned with an edge of exit slit 136.During cutting, knife blade 142 and edge 150 are in close slidingengagement, thereby cooperating to scissor the film as the blade movesto a closed position. As a result of the illustrated arrangement ofsliding knife blade 142 and knife bed 148, a cut end of the film remainswithin the cassette just behind blade 142, ready to be dispensed duringa later cycle of operation, there being no wasted portion of the filmleft extended from the cassette after cutting.

As shown in FIG. 6, a tab 152 near an inside lower edge of knife holder140 is attached to one end of a tension spring 154, whose opposite endis attached to an anchor 156 on an under edge of peripheral wall 104,thus urging the knife holder and blade to the right, as viewed in FIGS.4 to 6, to close exit slit 136. On an outside surface of knife holder140, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a pair of actuator tabs 166 are formedwhich extend laterally through a horizontal slot 168 formed in a knifecover plate 170 which is fixedly mounted against a pair of stop surfaces172 spaced outboard of recess 138. The stop surfaces are shown best inFIG. 6 where cover plate 170 has been omitted for ease of illustration.The cover plate comprises along an upper edge a lip 174 for engaging anupper edge of peripheral wall 104; and along a lower edge, a bottomflange 176 for engaging a recess 178 into bottom wall 102, as shown inFIG. 6. As illustrated, recess 178 is the lower wall portion of L-shapedrecess 138. An exit slit 180 extends through the cover plate, inalignment with exit slit 136. To hold the assembly of holder 140 andblade 142 firmly within recess 138 and against knife bed 148, a pair ofleaf springs 182, 184 are formed integrally in the cover plate, as shownin FIG. 7. Suitable fasteners 186, 188 extend through bottom flange 176into the body of the cassette to secure the cover plate, the fastenersbut not the cover plate being shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, means are provided for preventing rotation ofcore 110 or movement of knife 140, 142 from a closed position, duringhandling and shipment of the cassette. An actuator plunger 190 isslidably mounted in a passage 192 through peripheral wall 104. Withinthe cassette, a channel 194 is defined along bottom wall 102 between apair of parallel guide walls 196, 198. A coil spring 200 is slideablyreceived on plunger 190 and is captured between a retainer flange 202 onthe plunger and a transverse stop 204 extended between walls 196, 198. Acover plate 206 is attached by suitable fasteners to close the upperside of channel 194. Plunger 190 is used to actuate an anti-backup lever208 having at one end a pivot axle 210 whose ends are pivotably receivedin a pair of notches 212, 214 formed in walls 196, 198. A pair of tabs216 on one end of cover plate 196, only one tab being visible in FIG. 4,retain axle 210 in notches 212, 214. Between lever 208 and bottom wall102 is positioned an essentially V-shaped leaf spring 218, one end ofwhich bears against stop 204 and the other of which bears on bottom wall102, just outside of a stub shaft 220. Spring 218 thus forces lever 208to pivot upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 8. At its end opposite axle 210,lever 208 includes an upwardly extended latching finger 222 which isforced by spring 218 to extend into one of a plurality of recesses 224formed in core 110, to keep the core from rotating on the stub shaftduring handling or shipment of the cassette. Plunger 190 includes asliding cam surface 226 which engages lever 208.

When the cassette is installed in apparatus 10, as shown fragmentarilyin FIG. 8, a probe 228 on stop wall 70 of the apparatus engages plunger190 and forces the plunger to move to the left as seen in FIG. 8. Thismovement causes lever 208 to pivot downwardly, thereby withdrawinglatching finger 222 from recess 224 and freeing the roll of film torotate. The same movement also releases knife 140, 142. A knife releasearm 230 extends laterally from plunger 190 and includes a latchingfinger 232 which, before engagement of the plunger by probe 228, extendsthrough an opening 234 in recess 138 into an opening 236 in knife holder140, to prevent movement of the knife during handling or shipment. Whenplunger 190 is moved to the left in the manner just described, latchingfinger 232 is pulled out of opening 236, thus freeing the knife formovement to cut the film.

In use of the cassette of FIGS. 4 to 8, the cassette is inserted bysliding it into apparatus 10, thereby moving plunger 190 and freeingboth core 110 and knife 140, 142. Tabs 166 are then engaged by amechanism shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 to move the knife away from the knifebed against the action of spring 154, thus opening exit slit 136. Drivensprocket roller 118 is then rotated to drive the film from the cassette.When a sufficient length has been driven from the cassette, knife 140,142 is driven back toward knife bed 148, thereby cutting the film andblocking exit slit 136. To prevent a trailing end of the just-cut filmfrom being captured between knife 140, 142 and knife cover plate 170,the knife may be cycled open to release the trailing end, if captured,and then closed again. The leading end of the film remains within thecassette just behind blade 142, ready to be dispensed during a latercycle of operation, there being no wasted portion of the web materialleft extended from the cassette after cutting.

ACTUATOR MECHANISM FOR CASSETTE 24

FIGS. 9 to 11 show an actuator mechanism for the cassette. A rotaryactuator 250, typically electrically operated, is supported from theunder side of support plate 12 by a mounting flange 252. For ease ofillustration, support plate 12 is shown fragmentarily. A drive shaft 254of the actuator extends upwardly through an opening, not illustrated, inthe support plate and rotatably supports an essentially circular camfollower plate 256. An arcuate cutout 258 is provided through plate 256to engage rotational stop pins, not illustrated, which extend fromsupport plate 12 to limit rotational movement of the actuator mechanism.A V-shaped notch 260 is provided through plate 256 for cooperation witha wedge cam 302 to be described subsequently. On an upper end of shaft254, a radial actuator arm 262 is fixedly mounted, the arm having aradially extending actuating finger 264 which is positioned betweenactuator tabs 166, as seen in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, beneath the cassette, a cassette driveassembly 266 is mounted to the under side of support plate 12. Assembly266 includes a tubular housing 268 having a radial mounting flange 270at its upper end. Within housing 268, a pair of bearings 272, 274rotatably support a hollow shaft 276 having a splined counter bore 278at its upper end. A through bore 280 in shaft 276 slideably receives adriver shaft 282 having splines 283 to engage the splines of counterbore 278. A spring 284 is captured between a shoulder 286 on shaft 276and a shoulder 288 on shaft 282, thus tending to force shaft 282 to moveupward. At the bottom of shaft 282, a stop ring 290 limits upwardmovement. A timing pulley 292 is fixedly attached to the lower end ofshaft 276; so that, rotation of shaft 276 will rotate shaft 282, due tothe splined coupling 278, 283.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the position of the parts when knife 140, 142 hasclosed exit slit 136. Actuator 250 rotates counter-clockwise to open theexit slit. An actuator lever 294 is pivoted at one end to a pivot block296 recessed into support plate 12, the lever extending downward througha slot in the support plate, as shown fragmentarily in FIG. 44. At itsother end, lever 294 comprises a fork 298 which receives the upper end300 of shaft 282. Just below cam follower plate 256, lever 294 supportsa wedge cam 302 which tapers toward fork 298. Thus, when actuator 250rotates counter-clockwise, a leading edge of notch 260 will slide alongcam 302, thus allowing lever 294 to pivot upward in response toexpansion of spring 284 and movement of shaft 282, to permit end 300 toengage an externally accessible drive coupling 304 for sprocket roller118, shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 10, a sensor flag 306 is mountedon follower plate 256. Thus, as the follower plate rotates duringactuation of knife 140, 142, flag 306 cooperates with adjacent sensors310, 312 mounted on support plate 12, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 10, toindicate whether exit slit 136 is open or closed. Sensors 310, 312preferably each comprise an infrared light source and detector pair.Thus, when sensor flag 306 passes between the source and the detector,the outputs of the sensors will indicate the status of exit slit 136.Similar sensors are used throughout the apparatus to detect presence ofa film strip or sensor flag, as will be understood by those skilled inthe art from the remainder of this description.

FILM LOADING AND UNLOADING TRACKS

FIGS. 12 and 13 show various features of film loading track 72 and filmunloading track 82. In FIG. 12, the view is from the back of theapparatus, just down stream from exit slit 136. For a more compactarrangement, a shallow V-shaped frame member 320 is provided, extendingfrom near exit slit 136 toward the back of the camera when the camera isin position at actuating and testing station 80. A plurality of mountingbrackets 322 support frame member 320 just above support plate 12. Anupper side rail block 324 and a lower side rail block 326 are attachedto respective upper and lower edges of frame member 320. Upper retainerflanges 328, 330 and lower retainer flanges 332, 334 are attached to therail blocks to define between the blocks and flanges a lower film guideslot 336 and an upper film guide slot 338. To ease movement of a filmstrip into the guide slots, flared inlets 340 and 342 are providedwhich, as seen in FIG. 3A, are positioned closely to exit slits 136, 180to readily receive a leading end of film as it is driven from cassette24. As shown in FIG. 12, inlets 340, 342 are flared both horizontallyand vertically to ensure ease of entry of a film strip. Along guide slot336, a sensor 344 is located to detect the presence of film within thetrack.

Side rail blocks 324, 326 each include a tapered downstream end 346positioned in close proximity, respectively, to an upper side rail block348 and lower side rail block 350 of film unloading track 82. A frameplate 352 extends between rail blocks 348, 350 and is supported by oneof brackets 322. An upper retainer flange 353, shown in FIG. 12, and asimilar lower retainer flange 355, shown in FIG. 13, cooperate with railblocks 348, 350 to define guide slots 336' and 338'. Downstream ends354, 356 of retainer flanges 330, 334 extend beyond tapered ends 346.Each tapered end 346 includes a slot 358, shown in phantom in FIG. 13,in which a film diverter spring 360 is mounted on a pin 362. When nofilm is moving down slots 336, 338, an end of spring 360 extends outwardthrough a slot 364 in the adjacent retainer flange. When film is movingdown the tracks from the cassette, the leading edge of the film pushesspring 360 aside, thus allowing the film to move on toward ends 354,356.

Near tapered ends 346, a side surface 366 of each of rail blocks 348,350 curves gently into essential parallelism with retainer flanges 330,334, as shown in FIG. 13. At the ends of rail blocks 348, 350, a pair offilm guide ramps 370, 372 are mounted on pivot pins 374, 376. Each guideramp includes a central film guide slot 378 which, in the position ofFIG. 13, essentially forms a continuation of one of slots 336, 338. Onthe opposite side of pivot 376 from guide slot 378, each guide rampincludes a radial arm 380, shown in phantom in FIG. 13. A pair of leafsprings 382, secured at one end to frame plate 352, bear upon respectivearms 380 to bias each guide ramp to rotate clockwise as viewed in FIG.13. Thus, when a camera is positioned at camera actuating and testingstation 80 and an access door on the camera is opened, guide ramps 370,372 will be pivoted under the action of springs 382 until a pair oftransverse stops 384 on the guide ramps encounter at least one stopledge 386 in the camera, as shown in phantom in FIG. 13. Stop ledge 386will be described further with regard to FIGS. 16, 22, 23A and 23B.Finally, one of a pair of sensor flags 388, 390 is attached to eachguide ramp, for cooperation with a pair of sensors to be describedsubsequently. When film is driven into the camera, the leading edge ofthe film presses diverter spring aside to allow the film to move intoguide slots 378. When film is driven from the camera, springs 360 divertthe film into guide slots 336', 338' leading to cutter 84 for exposedfilm. Since photographic film being driven from the camera will tend tocurl in a direction to move into guide slots 336', 338', use of diverterspring 360 is optional. As the film passes from guide slots 336', 338',a sensor 392 monitors its passage.

In the foregoing description, film loading track 72 and unloading track82 have been shown and described as open tracks which must be enclosedwithin some sort of light-tight environment to prevent fogging of thefilm as it moves between cassette 24 and the camera and between thecamera and cutter 84/cartridge 86. However, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that, without departing from the scope of our invention,the loading and unloading tracks themselves could be made completelylight tight and provided with light seals or gaskets at their endsengaging cassette 24, the camera and cutter 84.

The apparatus of the invention should be capable of operation over aconsiderable range of ambient temperature, for example, from about 20°to about 40° C. Over such a range, thermal expansion of the width of afilm strip could lead to undesirable scraping or dragging of the edgesof the film as the edges move through guide slots 336, 338. Conventionalphotographic film bases of the types suitable for use in accordance withthe invention will have a coefficient of thermal expansion of about8×10⁻⁵ in/in/° C. Thus, by making frame member 320 and frame plate 352from materials having substantially equal coefficients of thermalexpansion, any potential for interference at high temperatures can beminimized. Conventional styrene plastic having a coefficient of thermalexpansion in the range of 6 to 8×10⁻⁵ in/in/° C., would be preferred formember 320 and plate 352.

COOPERATING FEATURES OF NEST 74 AND CAMERA 426

As shown in FIG. 14, camera nest 74 comprises an essentially rectangularbase plate 410 on which positioning pins 412, 414 are mounted forengagement with features in the bottom of a camera. An aperture throughthe base plate allows passage of a camera drive spindle 418 whichengages a drive coupling on the bottom of a camera. Flared end walls420, 422 and a flared back support 424 ensure that when a camera 426 islowered into the nest as shown in FIG. 15, the camera will settleclosely onto pins 412, 414 and spindle 418. Because nest 74 is biased torotate clockwise about pivot 76, back support 424 engages a lower end ofactuating lever 36. Thus, when top door 26 is closed, spring 78 willcause the nest to swing into place before actuating and testing station80, where electromagnet 81 will hold the nest in position.

Camera 426 is an example of many types of manually operated cameraswhich can be used in accordance with the invention. Those skilled in theart will appreciate, however, that features of nest 74 and itsassociated sensors soon to be described would require adjustment forother camera styles, including motorized cameras, without departing fromthe scope of the invention. An assembled photographic camera suitablefor use in accordance with the invention would include an externalhousing having at least one movable closure which, in an open positionof the at least one closure, would enable a discrete strip of film to beloaded from an exterior of the camera into the camera and a discretestrip of film to be unloaded from the camera to the exterior. Withinsuch a camera, a guide track would extend between an unexposed filmchamber and an exposed chamber. Means would be provided for moving afilm strip back and forth between the unexposed and exposed filmchambers. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this means formoving could be a conventional toothed sprocket, a pinch roller drive,driven spools in the film chambers, or a combination of such knownfeatures for moving film. In the following description of camera 426,specific examples are given of various camera features; however, theapparatus and method of the invention are not limited to use of such aparticular camera.

As shown in FIG. 15, the camera includes a front housing 428 having alens opening 430. In the familiar manner, a lens cover actuator 432extends through a slot 433 to enable the user to move the lens coverbetween a closed position, as illustrated, and an open position. Incameras with a flash feature, a flash opening 434 is provided along witha flash activation switch 436 which is moved out to the position of FIG.15 to activate the flash. On top of the camera, a shutter trigger button438 is provided in the familiar manner.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, additional features of the apparatus canbe understood. A "camera present" treadle assembly 440 is mounted on apivot 442 at one end of nest 74. Assembly 440 includes a transverselyextended treadle foot 444 which is depressed when the camera is placedin the nest. Movement of treadle foot 444 causes a sensor flag 446 tomove to a position to actuate a sensor 448 when nest 74 is swung intoposition at actuating and testing station 80. At the front of the nest,a "lens cover open" treadle assembly 450 is mounted on a pivot 452. Atransversely extended arm 454, normally spring-biased upward, extendsfrom the pivot in position to be engaged by lens cover actuator 432 ifthe lens cover is open. Movement of arm 454 causes a downwardlyextended, L-shaped sensor flag 456 to move to a position to actuate asensor 458 suspended from the nest. Near the pivot end of the nest, a"flash activated" lever assembly 460 is mounted on a pivot 462 onsupport plate 12. Assembly 460 includes a transversely extended arm 464in position to be engaged by flash actuator switch button 436 as thenest is swung into position at station 80. Movement of arm 464 causes atransversely extended arm 466 to move to a position where a sensor flag468 can actuate a sensor 470 mounted on support plate 12.

As shown in FIG. 16, the bottom of the camera includes an aperture 472which permits pin 412 to engage the internal frame of the camera, notillustrated, and an aperture 474 which permits pin 414 to engage theinternal frame. An externally accessible drive shaft coupling 476 isrecessed into the bottom of the camera for cooperation with spindle 418.A back housing 478 includes an opening 480 through which a "flash ready"light may be observed and a slot 482 for a thumbwheel 486. A movableclosure, such as a sliding door 484, is provided to permit film to beloaded into or unloaded from the camera.

FIG. 17 shows schematically a gear train for advancing film into or outof the camera. Thumbwheel 486 is connected for rotation with a gear 488and a conventional film takeup spool 490, all mounted for rotation onbearings within the camera, not illustrated. Gear 488 meshes with a gear492 which is connected for rotation with a shutter reset cam 494, in aconventional manner. A smaller gear 496 meshes with gear 492 and isconnected for rotation of a counterwheel advancing pawl 498 which mesheswith a counterwheel 500. A window 501, visible in FIG. 15, is providedthrough the camera housing in the conventional manner, to enable a userto see the numbers on the counterwheel. The gear ratios are chosen sothat one revolution of gear 496 will move counterwheel 500 sufficientlyto indicate passage of a single frame of film. A shaft 502 supportinggear 492 extends downward in the camera and, via an axially extensiblejoint 504, is connected for rotation with a shaft 506. On the lower endof shaft 506 is mounted a sprocket drive gear 508. A spring 510 iscaptured between a stop 512 in the internal frame of the camera and gear508; so that, drive gear 508 is normally biased toward a first positionnear the bottom of the camera. As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, ananti-backup gear 514 is formed coaxially with drive gear 508 andnormally is engaged with an anti-backup pawl 516 to prevent reverserotation. See FIG. 18. A gear 526 is meshed with drive gear 508 andmounted coaxially on a shaft with a film drive sprocket 530 whichengages the perforations in the film. Preferably, gears 508, 526 and 530are geared one to one.

When the camera is lowered into nest 74, spindle 418 engages coupling476 and pushes the coupling upward from the first position of FIG. 18into the camera to a second position of FIG. 19. This upward movementcauses gear 514 to move out of engagement with pawl 516 and intoengagement with an angled cam surface 518 shown in FIG. 20. Pawl 516 andcam surface 518 are mounted at a free end of a flexible cantilevered arm520 extended from a base 522 attached to the internal frame of thecamera. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, base 522 is molded integrally witha frame plate 523 having at one end a right angle stiffener wall 524. Anunillustrated bore extends through frame plate 523 next to wall 524 toenable the frame plate to be installed over a mounting pin 525 extendeddownward from the internal frame of the camera. When gear 514 movesupward and engages cam surface 518, arm 520 flexes and pawl 516 swingsout of engagement with gear 514. Gear 508 has an axial length sufficientto enable driven gear 526 to remain meshed as gear 508 moves up anddown. Continued contact between gear 514 and cam surface 518 holds thepawl out of engagement with gear 514. When gear 514 moves downward whenthe camera is removed from the nest, it slides down along cam surface518, thus allowing arm 520 to return to its original position andpermitting pawl 516 to reengage gear 514. Because gear 514, asillustrated, is somewhat larger in diameter than gear 508, cam surface518 moves radially inward above gear 514 when pawl 516 is engaged withgear 514.

FIGS. 21A, B, C and 22 show features of the frame counting and zerolocking mechanisms. A zero locking pawl 532 is mounted on a pivot 534near thumbwheel 486 and is spring-biased to rotate counter-clockwise.Pawl 532 includes a tangentially extended stop finger 536 which usuallyslides against a cylindrical surface 538 of the counterwheel. However,when the last frame of film has been exposed, finger 536 moves into aradial slot 540 formed in an upper surface of the counterwheel, thuspreventing further rotation of the counterwheel. Simultaneously, alocking tooth 542 on pawl 532, hidden from view in FIGS. 21A and 22,engages an inwardly facing saw toothed ratchet 544 provided in the uppersurface of thumbwheel 486, to prevent its further rotation. However, toenable the camera to load and unload film in accordance with theinvention, means are provided for releasing the zero locking pawl. Arelease lever 546 extends radially from pivot 534 just inside an accesshole 548 through back housing 478. Thus, when the camera is positionedat camera actuating and testing station 80, a probe 684 shown in FIG. 31will enter hole 548 and push on release lever 546. This causes the zerolocking pawl to rotate clockwise and to disengage finger 536 from slot540 and tooth 542 from ratchet 544. Thus, the gear train of FIG. 17 canbe rotated freely in either direction.

FIG. 22 also shows how sliding door 484 moves to one side to revealledge 386, shown in FIG. 13, and a pair of notches 550, 552 formed atthe ends of the ledges to receive the ends of guide ramps 370, 372. Alsovisible in FIG. 22 is an entrance 554 into a film track 566 within thecamera. Ledge 386 and notches 550, 552 thus comprise a means at entrance554 for positioning an external film loading or unloading device forguiding film into or receiving film from guide track 566. FIG. 23Aillustrates schematically additional internal details of a camerasuitable for use in the apparatus of the invention. In the familiarmanner, camera 426 includes an unexposed film chamber 562, an exposedfilm chamber 564, with film guide track 566 running between chambers562, 564 to present unexposed film to an exposure chamber 568. Withinunexposed film chamber 562, a flexible film scroller 563 may be providedto guide the film strip into a scroll within the chamber. Such ascroller may be of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,388, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference into this description.

Further details of ledge 386 are illustrated in FIGS. 16, 22 and 23B. Asbest seen in FIG. 23B, in which the camera back has been removed, ledge386 preferably is coplanar with guide track 566. In the conventionalmanner, guide track 566 includes a pair of parallel side rails 570, 572on which the film is supported just outside of the image area.Similarly, ledge 386 preferably includes a pair of parallel side rails574, 576 which are located just inboard of notches 550, 552 and formrespective extensions of side rails 570, 572. Just outboard of thenotches, a pair of guide wedges 578, 580 preferably are provided toengage the longitudinal edges of a film strip to guide and center thestrip as it moves through entrance 554 into guide track 566. Betweenside rails 574, 576, ledge 386 is recessed to avoid contact with theimage area of the film. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the ledge need not be continuous across the width of entrance 554and that the portion of the ledge between side rails 574, 576 may beomitted without departing from our invention.

Turning now to FIG. 24, features of the camera drive assembly can beunderstood. Nest 74 includes a downwardly extended boss 582 on which adrive assembly 584 is mounted. Assembly 584 includes a tubular housing586 having at its upper end an integral mounting flange 588. Withinhousing 586, a pair of beatings 590, 592 rotatably support camera drivespindle 418, the upper end of which engages an internally splined bore594 within drive coupling 476. To ensure positive engagement betweenspindle 418 and coupling 476, a torque transmission pawl 596 is pivotedat 598 within a slot formed in the spindle. A spring 600 biases pawl 596to rotate outwardly. When a camera is lowered into the nest, pawl 596will retract into the spindle unless it happens to align initially withgroove within coupling 476. Then, when spindle 418 is rotated, pawl 596will spring outward into the first available groove to provide thenecessary positive engagement.

As shown in FIGS. 3B and 24, at the lower end of spindle 418 is mounteda driven gear 602 whose operation will be discussed subsequently.Beneath gear 602 is mounted an encoder disk 604 having a plurality ofradially extended sensor flags 605 which cooperate with a sensor 606suspended beneath support plate 12 on a bracket 608. The number ofsensor flags 605 corresponds to the number of teeth on film drivesprocket 530. For example, if the film strip has eight perforations perframe and the drive sprocket has eight teeth, a single rotation of gear602 will cause eight sensor flags 605 to pass sensor 606, which providesa corresponding output to the controller of the apparatus. A singlesensor flag could be used to indicate completion of a rotation; however,a plurality of sensor flags enables the apparatus to advance a partialframe.

In the foregoing description, the camera drive assembly is particularlyadapted for use with manually operated cameras. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate, however, that our invention is readily adaptable foruse with motorized cameras. For example, rather than including theassembly of parts 582 to 604, a motorized camera and nest 74 could beprovided electrical interconnections, not illustrated, to enable thecontroller of the apparatus of operate the motor of the camera to drivefilm back and forth between chambers 562, 564 during loading andunloading of the camera.

CAMERA DOOR OPENING MECHANISM

Referring now to FIGS. 25 to 30, those skilled in the art willunderstand the structure and function of a door opening mechanism 610for sliding open door 484. An L-shaped frame member 612 includes ahorizontal mounting flange 614 which is attached to the under side ofsupport plate 12. An electrical rotary actuator 616 is mounted to framemember 612 below flange 614 and includes an output shaft, notillustrated, which extends horizontally through the frame member. Acylindrical spacer 618 is mounted for rotation with the output shaft andsupports a depending sensor flag 620 having an arcuate portion 622positioned to actuate a pair of sensors 624, 626 mounted on the framemember. Outboard of spacer 618 is mounted a door opening arm 628 whichalso rotates with the shaft of actuator 616. A linear actuator and apivoted arm, not illustrated, also could be used within the scope of ourinvention.

As seen in FIG. 25, a slot 630 extends through support plate 12 topermit a door engaging hook 632 on arm 628 to come into engagement withsliding door 484, when the nest is swung into position at actuating andtesting station 80. Hook 632 includes an angled ramp portion 634 havingan acute ramp angle 13 which preferably is greater than 30°, mostpreferably about 60°, as seen in FIG. 28. A thrust washer 635, flatwasher 637 and bolt 639 secure arm 628 to the end of the output shaft.Due to the presence of thrust washer 635, arm 628 is permitted to flexor rock slightly on the output shaft when hook 632 engages a slidingdoor.

When a camera is swung into the position shown in FIG. 25, hook 632enters into a slot 636 formed near an outboard side edge of door 484 andarm 628 rocks slightly toward the back of the apparatus against thrustwasher 635, to provide a secure engagement. Within slot 636, an angledside wail 638 is positioned to coact with ramp portion 634 in a mannersoon to be explained. Side wall 638 is set at an acute angle γ, whichpreferably is less than angle β, to ensure that an outside edge 641 ofside wall 638 first contacts ramp portion 634. As seen in FIG. 28, door484 includes on an inner surface a catch protrusion 640 which forms anextension of angled side wall 638 and, when the door is closed, extendsinto an aperture 642 formed in the housing of the camera. Door 484should be flexible enough to allow catch 640 to slide along the camerahousing and snap into aperture 642 when the door is installed initially;however, catch 642 should be substantial enough to prevent the user fromopening the door by pushing sideways.

In operation of mechanism 610, arm 628 initially is rotatedcounter-clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 26, until a stop 646 and sensor 626are engaged by arcuate portion 622. Then arm 628 is rotated clockwiseuntil both sensors 624, 626 are engaged. To open the door, arm 628 isrotated further clockwise until arcuate portion 622 moves out ofengagement with sensor 626 but remains in engagement with sensor 624.This movement brings ramp portion 634 into contact with edge 641 ofangled side wall 638. The camming action of ramp portion 634 duringrotation of arm 628 causes door 484 to flex outwardly enough to allowcatch protrusion 640 to pull out of aperture 642 and the door to slideto the position of FIG. 30. To close the door, arm 628 is rotatedcounter-clockwise until stop 646 again is engaged and the catchprotrusion once again snaps into the aperture.

CAMERA ACTUATING AND TESTING STATION 80

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 31, station 80 includes an upwardly extendedframe member 654 having a lower mounting flange 656 secured to the uppersurface of support plate 12. Frame 654 includes a backwardly extendedsupport flange 658 on the under side of which is mounted an electricallinear actuator 660. An actuator shaft 662 extends upwardly throughflange 658 to engage an actuation end 664 of a camera trigger actuatinglever 666 pivoted at 668 to the upper end of frame member 654. On theopposite side of pivot 668, lever 666 includes an engagement end 670which, when a camera is in the position of FIG. 25, is positioned toengage and actuate shutter trigger button 438.

As shown in FIG. 31, behind engagement end 670, a cross bar 672 isprovided to support a sensor 674 having an emitter and receiver pair. Asuitable sensor is Model P3062-01 made by Hamamatus Corporation ofJapan. Such sensors are provided in a single package and typicallyinclude an infrared light emitting diode, a photodiode, an amplifier, aSchmitt trigger, an output transistor and a focusing lens. Such a sensorcan detect changes in the average reflectance of a surface, as wouldoccur when a surface changes from a dark to a light color, or viceversa. Such a sensor also can detect the presence of a dark-colored markon a light-colored counterwheel having dark-colored numbers, as in FIG.21A; or a light-colored mark on a counterwheel having light colorednumbers on a dark background, not illustrated.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 35, sensor 674 is positioned opposite andsufficiently close to window 501 to enable the sensor to detect thepresence of an optically detectable feature on counterwheel 500. Asshown in FIG. 21A, such a feature may be a darkened sector 676 on alight-colored counterwheel 500, sector 676 being between the first andlast frame numbers and having a leading edge 676a. Sector 676 can beprovided in any suitable manner, but must have a reflectance whichcontrasts with the remainder of the surface of the counterwheel.Alternatively, the feature may be a black or darkened mark 676b ofcontrasting reflectance at any place on a light-colored counterwheelwhich passes beneath window 501, as shown in FIG. 21B. Or, the featuremay be a mark 676c of an infrared absorbing material at any place on alight-colored counterwheel which passes beneath window 501 as shown inFIG. 21C. Such infrared absorbing materials are conventional andfamiliar to those skilled in the art and will allow visible light topass but will absorb infrared. The contrasting reflectance of features676, 676b or 676c should be such that sensor 674, shown in FIG. 31, canoptoelectronically distinguish the mark from a frame number on thecounterwheel. A frame number may fill approximately 10% of the field ofview at window 501; whereas, mark 676, 676b or 676c preferably shouldfill approximately 40 to 60% of the field.

As will be discussed in more detail subsequently, feature 676, 676b or676c can be offset from a first frame indicator on the counterwheel sothat presence of the feature beneath window 501 will indicate that allof the film has been exposed. Or, the feature may be offset from a firstframe indicator on the counterwheel so that presence of the featurebeneath window 501 will indicate that counterwheel 500 has been offset,before loading of fresh film into the camera, to account for the numberof frames between cassette 24 and the camera and the length of a leadertrailer portion on the film strip.

For example, when sector 676 is positioned between the first and lastframe numbers as shown in FIG. 21A, to account for a length of filmbetween cassette 24 and the camera after actuation of knife 140, 142 anda length of a leader portion, sector 676 may have an arcuate extentcorresponding to a number of frames of film equal to the sum of suchlengths. Either edge of the darkened sector is distinguishable from thetypically white color of the remaining surface of the counterwheel, dueto a low reflectivity of the darkened sector.

Although the detectable feature most conveniently is located on thecounterwheel in the manner just described, those skilled in the art willappreciate that without departing from the invention the featurealternatively could be located on a separate wheel, not illustrated,which would be geared to rotate synchronously with counterwheel 500. Insuch a case, a separate window, not illustrated, would be provided inthe camera housing for viewing the feature. Or, the detectable featurecould be provided on a peripheral, vertical edge surface of thecounterwheel and viewed, for example, through opening 548 by providingprobe 684 with a suitable sensor.

Referring again to FIG. 31, near actuation end 664 a sensor flag 678 ispositioned to actuate a sensor 680 supported on an upwardly extendedmounting bracket 682. Thus, when actuator 660 is energized, shaft 662pushes upward on end 664 which causes end 670 to press downward ontrigger button 438 to operate the shutter mechanism of the camera. Atthe same time, flag 678 actuates sensor 680 to confirm that the shutterhas been operated.

On a front surface of frame member 654 is mounted a probe 684 having asemicylindrical tip 686 and a stop surface 688. When a camera is swunginto the position of FIG. 25, tip 686 passes through access hole 548 andengages release lever 546 to release zero locking pawl 532. Stop surface688 engages a stop in the camera casing or frame, not illustrated, tolimit tilting of the camera within the nest and to prevent overinsertion of the probe.

Also mounted on the front surface of frame member 654 is a bracket 690having a vertical member 692 on which are mounted a pair of sensors 694,696 which are positioned to cooperate with sensor flags 388, 390,respectively, on film guide ramps 370, 372. Thus, when the ramps havemoved into the camera to a position for film loading or unloading,sensors 694, 696 will signal that event.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a flash sensor 698 is positioned above supportplate 12 on a bracket 700, to detect operation of the flash feature ofthe camera. And, as shown in FIG. 35, a sensor 701 is positioned on abracket 702 above support plate 12 and opposite opening 480, to detectillumination of the flash ready light of the camera. To prevent lightfrom the ready light from fogging film entering the camera, sensor 701preferably should be provided with a resilient gasket, not illustrated,to engage the camera around opening 480 and prevent leakage of light.

FILM LOADING AND UNLOADING OPERATIONS

FIG. 32 shows the configuration of the film loading and unloading tracksand a camera, when the camera has been swung into station 80. Until door484 has been opened in the manner previously described, guide ramps 370,372 will be pivoted toward the back of the apparatus due to contact withthe door. When the door has been opened, the guide ramps will be swungby springs 382 through the open door toward notches 550, 552, which areshown in FIG. 22. If, as shown in FIG. 33, a film strip 704 in thecamera is blocking access to notches 550, 552, then the guide ramps willcome to rest on the film strip and sensor flags 388, 390 will notactuate sensors 694, 696. In this event, the controller of theapparatus, to be discussed later, will cause camera drive assembly 584to be actuated to drive the film strip back toward unexposed filmchamber 562. An angled lead edge 706 of the film strip, shown in FIG.34, eventually will move past ramp 370 and permit ramp 370 to drop intonotch 550. As a result, sensor flag 388 will actuate sensor 694 toindicate that the end of the film is nearing sprocket 530. Driveassembly 584 will continue to rotate just far enough to ensure that ramp390 drops into notch 552. Sensor flag 390 then will actuate sensor 696to indicate that the film should be stopped while the film strip remainsengaged with sprocket 530. At this time, drive assembly 584 can advanceangled lead edge 706 into film guide slot 378 of each guide ramp, asshown in FIG. 34.

As seen in FIGS. 3B and 35, a drive motor 708 is mounted to supportplate 12. A downwardly extended drive shaft 710 supports a driver gear874, also shown in FIG. 48. Gear 874 meshes with driven gear 602 oncamera drive assembly 584 when nest 74 has been pivoted to locate acamera in the position of FIGS. 3B and 35. Motor 708 can be energized torotate in either direction, to drive film from the camera into filmunloading track 82 or to drive film into the camera from film loadingtrack 72.

As mentioned previously, an electromagnet assembly 81 holds the nest inthe position of FIGS. 3B and 35. As seen in FIG. 3B, assembly 81comprises a flat-faced ferromagnetic block 81a attached to tubularhousing 586 of drive assembly 584 and a flat-faced electromagnet 81bsupported on a bracket 712 beneath support plate 12. An eye bolt 714 isattached to block 81a and an eye bolt 716 is attached to magnet 81b,with spring 78 extended between the two eye bolts. Contraction of spring78 thus will pivot nest 74 to the position of FIG. 3B and pull block 81ainto contact with electromagnet 81b to hold the nest in that position.

TRANSFER CARTRIDGE 86

The features of transfer cartridge 86 are shown in FIGS. 36 to 39.Cartridge 86 conveniently may be made from primarily injection moldedplastic parts. An outer, opaque shell half 720 includes opposing enddisks 724, 726 and a radially extended lip 728. A strip of conventionallight lock material 730 is attached to an inwardly facing side of lip728, as best seen in FIG. 38. At the ends of lip 728, a pair ofdepending actuation lips 732, 734 are provided, for a purpose to bedescribed later in this specification. Nested partially within shellhalf 720 is an inner, opaque shell half 736 having opposing end disks738, 740 which slidably engage end disks 724, 726. Shell half 736 alsoincludes a radially extended lip 742 on an inwardly facing side of whicha strip of light lock material 744 is attached for cooperation withstrip 730. At the ends of lip 742, a pair of depending snap flanges 746,748 are provided to secure the cartridge in its closed configuration.Within the shell formed by halves 720, 736, is rotatably mounted aconventional take-up spool 750. A row of radially extended teeth 752 areprovided at one or both ends of spool 750 to engage correspondingperforations on a film strip. Extended around the spool and anchored atone end beneath strip 744 is a film threadup scroll or guide 754 whichdirects film passing between lips 728, 742 into engagement with thespool. A central bore within the spool retains a triangular frictionclutch spring 758. A central drive shaft 760 extends through the spool.A cylindrical portion 762 on shaft 760 closely engages clutch spring758. A retainer cap 764, suitably attached to a free end of shaft 760,and an externally accessible drive shaft coupling 766 secure shaft 760for rotation in bores through end disks 724, 726. An internally splinedcounter bore 768 is provided within coupling 766.

In use of cartridge 86, lips 728, 742 are separated enough to permitinsertion of a leading end of a film strip and spool 750 is rotated toengage the film with teeth 752. However, should excessive torque berequired to draw film into the cartridge, shaft 760 will slip relativeto clutch spring 758 to prevent damage to the film or the cartridge.When a film strip has been wound into the cartridge, lips 728, 742 arepressed toward each other to engage light lock strips 730, 744, thusproviding a light tight enclosure for the film.

FILM CUTTER 84

The features of film cutter 84 are shown in FIGS. 40, 41 and 43 to 47.Referring initially to FIGS. 40 and 41, a rigid knife frame member 780preferably is made from metal such as black anodized aluminum andincludes along its lower side a mounting bracket 782 for attachment tosupport plate 12. On its side facing film unloading track 82 are a pairof parallel guide rails 784, 786 which cooperate with a mating pair ofrails 785, 787 (seen in FIG. 41) on a facing side of a knife holder 788.A stainless steel knife blade 790 with an angled cutting edge 792 ismounted to holder 788. An actuator finger 794 extends from the holderbetween rails 785, 787 and passes through a horizontal through slot 796provided in frame member 780. Near one end of the frame member, aJ-shaped knife bed 798 is mounted with an edge 800 aligned with acorresponding edge of a slot 802 through the frame member. A pair ofactuator tabs 804 extend from knife holder 788 through a slot 806provided in a knife cover plate 808. A top lip 810 of the cover plateengages a top edge of frame member 780, while a bottom flange 812includes a pair of fastener tabs 814 used to attach the cover plate toan under side of frame member 780. An exit slit 816 extends through thecover plate opposite slot 802. A pair of leaf springs 818, 820 areformed in the cover plate to engage the knife holder and press it intocontact with the frame member. For simplicity, knife 788, 790 isoriented to cut the film straight across, rather than at an angle as inthe cutter of FIG. 4; however, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat cutter 84 also could be oriented to provide an angled cut, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

As seen in FIG. 41, a horizontal slot 822 is provided on the side offrame member 780 opposite rails 784, 786. At the end of slot 822 closerto slot 796, a pair of spring pockets 824, 826 are provided, one on eachside of slot 796. A slider 828 is positioned in slot 822. As shown inFIG. 41, pair of springs 827 are positioned in pockets 824, 826 andcompressed between a right end of slider 828 and a keeper plate 829attached to frame member 780. A horizontal through slot 830 in slider828 receives the free end of actuator finger 794. Slot 830 is slightlyshorter than slot 796, for a purpose to be discussed subsequently. Atits end opposite slot 830, slider 828 supports an outwardly angled,horizontal arm 832 which extends through a slot 834 formed in a backcover plate 836. Arm 832 is seen best in FIGS. 40 and 45 to 47. Backcover plate 836 includes a top flange 838 which extends over framemember 780 in the assembled cutter. At an edge opposite to slot 802,cover plate 836 supports a pair of film strip edge guides 840, 842between which extends an image relief recess 844, best seen in FIG. 41.

At an outer end of arm 832 is mounted a hinge 846 having a rotatablehinge pin 847 on which are fixedly mounted a pair of hooks 848, 850positioned to engage actuation lips 732, 734 on an adjacent transfercartridge 86. As best seen in FIG. 45, hook 848 includes a downwardlydepending rotational stop 852 which can engage arm 832 to limit therange of movement of the hooks. As seen in FIGS. 41 and 45 to 47, eachof film strip guides 840, 842 includes a backwardly angled ramp 854which contacts a respective one of hooks 848, 850. On an opposite sideof slot 802 from guides 840, 842 is mounted a film strip guide member856 which includes a pair of film strip edge guides 858, 860 positionedopposite to guides 840, 842, respectively. An image relief recess 862extends between guides 858, 860. A horizontal tab 864 projects fromguide member 856 just below edge guide 860 to guide a lower longitudinaledge of the film strip between edge guides 842, 860. Finally, a topplate 866 is mounted to the assembly above flange 838.

As seen in FIGS. 43 and 44, an essentially cylindrical nest 868 ismounted to the top surface of support plate 12 to receive transfercartridge 86. The nest is open along one side to allow radial lips 728,742 of the cartridge to extend toward cutter 84; so that, hooks 848, 850can engage actuation lips 732, 734 as the cartridge is lowered into thenest. As seen in FIG. 44, a cartridge retainer lever 867 is supported atone end of top plate 866 on a pivot 867a. Lever 867 includes a springmounting post 867b spaced radially from the pivot. A spring 867c extendsfrom the mounting post to an attachment point, not illustrated, onsupport plate 12. With lever 867 in the elevated position shown in FIG.44, spring 867c passes above the pivot; however, when the lever isrotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 44, the spring passes over the pivotand then contracts to force the lever into engagement with cartridge 86.A retainer finger 867d extends from the lever in position to engage enddisk 724 of cartridge 86 and hold the cartridge securely within nest868. In the assembled apparatus, lever 867 extends upward throughopening 34, shown in FIG. 1, so that the upper end of the lever isengaged by the underside of top door 26. Thus, as top door 26 is closedby the operator of the apparatus, lever 867 will be pivoted in themanner just described to retain the cartridge in the nest.

FIGS. 42 to 47 show features of an actuator 250' to 264' for cutter 84and a drive assembly 266' to 302' for cartridge 86. Except for thediameters of timing pulleys 292, 292', this actuator and drive assemblyare essentially identical to those illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 andtherefore will not be described again. As shown in FIG. 48, pulley 292'may be smaller than pulley 292, causing takeup spool 750 in transfercartridge 86 to rotate at a higher speed than sprocket roller 118 incassette 24. As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, a pair of sensor flags 870,872 are mounted on cam follower plate 256' in positions to actuate acorresponding pair of sensors 871, 873 visible in FIG. 3A.

In operation of the cutter and transfer cartridge, a film strip is fedfrom the camera along film unloading track 82 in the manner previouslydescribed. When the leading edge of the film strip actuates sensor 392,shown in FIG. 13, a signal is sent to the controller to energize rotaryactuator 250' to rotate actuator arm 262' counterclockwise, as viewed inFIG. 43. Thus, knife blade 790 slides to the left to open a passage forthe film strip to pass through cutter 84 into transfer cartridge 86.Rotation of cam follower plate 256' simultaneously permits actuatorlever 294' to rise, thereby allowing upper end 300' of drive shaft 282'to move upward and engage coupling 766 of the transfer cartridge torotate spool 750 and wind the film strip into the transfer cartridge.Movement of knife blade 790 simultaneously causes actuation finger 794to move away from slot 802 through slot 796 and slot 830. But, beforefinger 794 reaches the end of slot 796, the finger engages the end ofslot 830 and pulls slider 828 away from slot 802. As slider 828 moves,springs 827 are compressed and hooks 848, 850 pull on actuation lips732, 734. Movement of actuation lips 732, 734 begins in the position ofFIG. 46, where the transfer cartridge is closed and ends in the positionof FIG. 47, where the transfer cartridge is open and finger 794 hasreached the end of slot 796. Thus, cutter 84 and cartridge 86 are openedsimultaneously. During movement between the closed and open conditions,hooks 848, 850 are guided by ramps 854.

Movement of the film strip into the transfer cartridge is controlled bysnip guides 840, 842 and 858, 860 and by tab 864, which direct the filminto an entrance slit defined between light lock strips 730, 744 of thecartridge. Winding into the cartridge continues until a desired lengthof film has been wound into the cartridge, either the entire strip fromthe camera or a portion of that snip, as will be discussed in furtherdetail. At that point, rotary actuator 250' is energized to slide knifeblade 790 back to its starting position, thereby cutting the film snip,if only a portion has been unloaded from the camera, and closing thepassage through cutter 84. Springs 827 extend to force slider 828 backtoward slot 802, causing hooks 848, 850 to close the entrance slitbetween light lock snips 730, 744. At the same time, drive shaft 282' isdisengaged from coupling 766 to stop rotation of spool 750.

DRIVE TRAIN FOR APPARATUS 10

FIG. 48 shows a view taken just below support plate 12. A driver gear874 is connected to output shaft 710 of motor 708, in position to meshwith driven gear 602 when nest 74 is swung into position at cameraactuating and testing station 80. Output shaft 710 also supports atiming pulley 876 which engages a timing belt 878 which also engagepulleys 292 and 292'; so that the drives of cassette 24, nest 74 andtransfer cartridge 86 share the single motor 708. See also FIG. 3B,where the timing belt has been omitted for simplicity. To maintaintension in belt 878, a further timing pulley 880 is mounted on anadjustment lever 882 pivoted at 884 to the under side of support plate12. Also visible in FIG. 48 are a support member 886 for control console50 and a conventional programmable controller 888 separated from thelight tight portions of the apparatus by a dividing wall 890.

LOADING AN EMPTY CAMERA

The overall operational logic of the apparatus is shown in theinterconnected flow charts of FIGS. 49 to 54. Controller 888 receivesinputs from the various sensors of the apparatus and controls operationof the various motors and actuators. To prepare the apparatus for use,cassette 24 is loaded past open door 20; a camera 426 is loaded pastopen door 26 into nest 74; and a cartridge 86 is loaded into nest 868.The doors are closed. The operator then uses console 50 to enter dataconcerning the camera and any operations to be performed on the camera.For example, the operator might indicate that the camera contains onlyexposed film and is to be completely unloaded; that the camera containsexposed and unexposed film and is to be partially unloaded of only theexposed frames; that the camera is empty and is to be loaded with aselected number of frames of unexposed film; that the camera is simplyto be tested; or that the camera has no flash feature. With thisinformation, as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the controller then checks theappropriate sensors to confirm that the doors are closed; a camera ispresent; the lens cover is open; the flash switch has been turned on;and the flash ready light is illuminated.

Camera door 484 is then opened. If ramps 370, 372 are able to swing intoplace against ledge 386 inside the camera, sensors 694, 696 will signalthe controller that no film is present in the camera, meaning that aloading sequence may begin, following the logic of FIGS. 50 to 52.Actuator 660, shown in FIG. 25, is then energized to depress shuttertrigger button 438. If sensor 698, shown in FIG. 3A, does not detect aflash, sprocket drive gear 508 is rotated to advance the film one frameand actuator 660 again is energized to depress the shutter triggerbutton. If no flash is detected again, the camera must be removed forrepair.

If sensor 698 detects a flash, the camera must be initialized following,for example, the logic of FIG. 54. Assume that the camera includescounterwheel 500 having a darkened sector 676 as shown in FIG. 21. Ifsensor 674 detects the presence of sector 676 essentially blockingwindow 501, motor 708 is energized to drive sprocket drive gear 508 andcounterwheel 468 counter clockwise until leading edge 676a of sector676, shown in FIG. 21, is detected at window 501, at which point motor708 is stopped. If sensor 674 does not detect the presence of sector 676blocking window 501, motor 708 is energized to drive the sprocket drivegear and counterwheel clockwise until leading edge 676a is detected, atwhich point motor 708 is stopped. Sprocket drive gear 508 is then drivenclockwise a fixed number of frames corresponding to the length of filmbetween the cassette and the camera, plus a length of any leader portionto be provided on the film strip, at which point motor 708 is stopped.The counterwheel now has been offset to account for the distance fromthe cassette to the camera and the leader portion.

Alternatively, assume the camera includes counterwheel 500 having ablack mark 676b or an infrared absorbing mark 676c, such as shown inFIGS. 21B and 21C. Assume further that mark 676b or 676c is positionedon the counterwheel so that, when the mark is detected at window 501,the counterwheel is offset to account for the distance from the cassetteto the camera and the leader portion. In these embodiments, initializingan empty camera prior to loading is accomplished simply by rotatingcounterwheel 500 until the mark is detected at window 501.

Returning from FIG. 54 to the logic of FIG. 51, actuator 250 and motor708 are energized to drive film from cassette 24, along loading track 72into the camera, where the film is scrolled into unexposed film chamber562. Loading continues until chamber 562 has received a number of framesequal to the total selected by the operator, plus the leader portion andminus the distance from the cassette to the camera. Actuator 250 is thenenergized to move knife 142 to cut the film and stop rotation ofsprocket roller 118. The film still in loading track 72 is then driveninto the camera and the film transport is stopped while the film isstill engaged with sprocket drive 530. As camera door 484 is shut, itengages ramps 370, 372 and pivots them out of the camera to the positionof FIG. 32. The film is advanced a partial frame to be sure that atleast one of ramps 370, 372 will encounter the film should camera door484 be reopened. Door 26 is opened and the loaded camera is removed.

FULLY AND PARTIALLY UNLOADING A CAMERA

Refer again to the flow chart of FIG. 50. If a camera with at least someexposed frames is placed in the apparatus, the exposed frames will havebeen wound into exposed film chamber 564. The flash switch will beturned off before the camera is inserted in nest 74. Due to the presenceof exposed frames, as shown in FIG. 33, ramps 370, 372 will not be ableto swing into place against ledge 386 inside the camera; and sensors694, 696 will signal the controller that exposed film is present in thecamera, meaning that an unloading sequence is ready to begin. Referringto the flow chart of FIGS. 53A, B and C, motor 708 is energized to drivethe exposed frames over to unexposed film chamber 562. The number ofexposed frames is determined by counting the revolutions of encoder disk604 in the manner previously described. As soon as the end of the filmstrip has moved just past ledge 386 but is still engaged with drivesprocket 530, the ramps will swing into place, causing flags 388, 390 toswing into engagement with sensors 694, 696 which signal the controllerthan the unloading sequence may continue, at which point the filmtransport is stopped. Using the just-counted number of exposed frames,the controller then determines a number of frames to be driven from thecamera into unloading track 82. This number will be the number of framesrewound into chamber 562, plus two frames, plus a number of frames equalto the distance from the camera to cutter 84. Actuator 250' is thenenergized to move knife blade 790 away from slot 802 and to engagecartridge 86 with its drive mechanism. The film is then driven from thecamera one frame at a time and the shutter is tripped between frames,until the required number of frames has been driven out of the camera.

If the leading edge 676a of sector 676 is detected by sensor 674 beforethe required number of exposed frames has been driven out of the camera,this indicates that a complete unloading of the camera must beperformed, following the left branch of the flow chart of FIG. 53. Theremainder of the film is driven along unloading track 82 until sensor392 indicates that the trailing end of the film has passed, at whichpoint the film transport is stopped and actuator 250' is de-energized.If the counterwheel bears one of marks 676b or 676c, rather than sector676, then detection of that mark at window 501, before the requirednumber of frames has been driven from the camera, also would indicatethat a complete unloading must be performed. Following a completeunloading, the camera may be reloaded after turning on its flash switch,or door 26 may be opened and the empty camera removed for later reuse.

If the leading edge of sector 676 is not detected (or either of marks676b or 676c), a partial unloading may be done. The required number offrames is driven from the camera and the film transport is stopped.Cutter 84 is actuated to cut the film. Because the drive to the transfercartridge is disengaged when the cut is made, a short tab of film willbe left extended from the closed transfer cartridge for use insubsequent photofinishing of the exposed film. The film transport isthen actuated to drive the remaining, unexposed film back into thecamera, stopping when the end of the film is still engaged with drivesprocket 530. Camera door 484 is shut. The film is advanced a partialframe, to be sure that at least one of ramps 370, 372 will encounter thefilm should door 484 be reopened. The customer later will advance thefilm into engagement with take up spool 490. Door 26 is opened and thepartially unloaded camera is removed for further use.

    ______________________________________                                        Parts List                                                                    ______________________________________                                         10         apparatus for loading and unloading                                           cameras                                                            12         central mechanism support plate or                                            frame                                                              14         lower housing                                                      16         hand hold                                                          18         upper housing                                                      19         peripheral groove                                                  20         L-shaped end door                                                  22         hinge between 18 and 20                                            24         cassette for unexposed film                                        26         top door                                                           28         hinge between 18 and 26                                            30         recess in 18                                                       32         camera insertion and removal                                                  opening                                                            34         transfer cartridge insertion and                                              removal opening                                                    36         actuating lever for camera nest                                    38         opening through bottom of 30                                       40         retainer bracket                                                   42         resilient pad                                                      44         catch on 26                                                        46         catch on 20                                                        48         grille on air inlet                                                50         pivotable control console                                          52         keypad                                                             54         visual display                                                     60         support legs for 12                                                62         back wall of cassette compartment                                  64         front wall of cassette compartment                                 66         ledge on 62 to support                                             68         guide flange on 24                                                 70         interior stop wall                                                 72         film loading track assembly                                        74         camera nest                                                        76         pivot between 74 and 12                                            78         spring                                                             80         camera actuating and testing station                               81         electromagnet assembly                                             81a        ferromagnetic block                                                81b        electromagnet                                                      82         film unloading track assembly                                      84         cutter for exposed film                                            86         transfer cartridge                                                100         opaque body or housing                                            102         bottom wall                                                       104         peripheral wall                                                   106         removable cover                                                   108         roll of film                                                      110         central core                                                      112         lead end of film                                                  114         idler roller                                                      116         shaft for 114                                                     118         driven sprocket roller                                            120         driven shaft                                                      122         teeth on 118                                                      124         edge perforations on film                                         126         spring-biased keeper                                              128         shaft for 126                                                     130         contact pad of 126                                                132         anti-backup pawl                                                  134         saw toothed ratchet wheel                                         136         exit slit                                                         137         raised lip                                                        138         L-shaped recess                                                   140         knife holder                                                      142         knife blade                                                       144         angled cutting edge                                               α     acute angle between plane of 104 and                                          plane of 138                                                      145         angled leading edge on film                                       146         J-shaped recess                                                   148         knife bed                                                         150         edge of 148                                                       152         tab on 140                                                        154         tension spring                                                    156         anchor on 104                                                     166         actuator tabs on 140                                              168         slot in 170                                                       170         knife cover plate                                                 172         stop surface                                                      174         upper lip on 170                                                  176         bottom flange on 170                                              178         recess into 104                                                   180         exit slit in 170                                                  182, 184    leaf springs                                                      186, 188    fasteners                                                         190         actuator plunger                                                  192         passage in 104                                                    194         channel along 102                                                 196, 198    guide walls                                                       200         coil spring                                                       202         retainer flange                                                   204         transverse stop                                                   206         cover plate                                                       208         anti-backup lever                                                 210         pivot axle                                                        212, 214    notches in 196, 198                                               216         tabs on 206                                                       218         leaf spring                                                       220         stub shaft                                                        222         latching finger                                                   224         recesses in 110                                                   226         cam surface on 190                                                228         probe                                                             230         knife release arm                                                 232         latching finger                                                   234         opening in 138                                                    236         opening in 140                                                    250, 250'   rotary actuator                                                   252, 252'   mounting flange to underside                                                  of 12                                                             254, 254'   drive shaft                                                       256, 256'   cam follower plate                                                258, 258'   arcuate cutout in 256                                             260         V-shaped notch in 256                                             262, 262'   radial actuator arm                                               264, 264'   actuating finger between 166                                      266, 266'   cassette/cartridge drive                                                      assembly                                                          268         tubular housing                                                   270, 270'   mounting flange to underside                                                  of 12                                                             272, 274    bearings                                                          276         hollow shaft                                                      278         splined counter bore                                              280         through bore                                                      282, 282'   driver shaft                                                      283         splines on 282                                                    284         spring                                                            286         shoulder on 276                                                   288         shoulder on 282                                                   290         stop on 282                                                       292, 292'   timing pulley on 276                                              294, 294'   actuator lever                                                    296, 296'   pivot block                                                       298, 298'   fork                                                              300, 300'   upper end of 282                                                  302, 302'   wedge cam on 294                                                  304         drive coupling for 118                                            306         sensor flag                                                       310         sensor                                                            312         sensor                                                            320         shallow V-shaped frame plate                                      322         mounting bracket                                                  324         upper side rail block                                             326         lower side rail block                                             328, 330    upper retainer flanges                                            332, 334    lower retainer flanges                                            336, 336'   lower film guide slot                                             338, 338'   upper film guide slot                                             340         flared inlet to 336                                               342         flared inlet to 338                                               344         sensor pair to detect film presence                               346         tapered downstream end of 324,                                                326                                                               348         upper side rail block                                             350         lower side rail block                                             352         frame plate                                                       353         upper retainer flange                                             354, 356    downstream ends of 330, 334                                       355         lower retainer flange                                             358         slot in 346                                                       360         film diverter spring                                              362         pin                                                               364         slot in 354, 356                                                  366         curved end of 348, 350                                            370, 372    film guide ramps                                                  374, 376    pivot pins                                                        378         film guide slot in 370, 372                                       380         radial arm 370, 372                                               382         leaf spring                                                       384         transverse stop                                                   386         stop ledge in camera                                              388, 390    sensor flags                                                      392         sensor                                                            410         base plate                                                        412         positioning pin                                                   414         positioning pin                                                   416         aperture                                                          418         camera drive spindle                                              420, 422    flared end walls                                                  424         central, flared back support                                      426         camera                                                            428         front housing                                                     430         lens opening                                                      432         lens cover actuator                                               433         slot                                                              434         flash opening                                                     436         flash activation switch                                           438         shutter trigger button                                            440         "camera present" treadle assembly                                 442         pivot                                                             444         transversely extended treadle arm                                 446         sensor flag                                                       448         sensor for 446                                                    450         "lens cover open" treadle assembly                                452         pivot                                                             454         transversely extended treadle arm                                 456         downwardly extended L-shaped                                                  sensor flag                                                       458         sensor for 456                                                    460         "flash activated" lever assembly                                  462         pivot                                                             464         transversely extended arm                                         466         transversely extended arm                                         468         sensor flag                                                       470         sensor for 468                                                    472         bottom aperture for 412                                           474         bottom aperture for 414                                           476         externally accessible drive shaft                                             coupling for 418                                                  478         back housing                                                      480         opening for flash ready light                                     482         slot for thumbwheel                                               484         sliding door to permit                                                        loading/unloading of film                                         486         thumbwheel                                                        488         gear                                                              490         conventional film take-up spool                                   492         gear                                                              494         shutter reset cam                                                 496         gear                                                              498         counterwheel advancing pawl                                       500         counterwheel                                                      501         window in 428 to view frame                                                   number                                                            502         shaft                                                             504         axially extensible joint                                          506         shaft                                                             508         sprocket drive gear                                               510         spring                                                            512         stop in camera frame                                              514         anti-backup gear                                                  516         anti-backup pawl                                                  518         cam surface                                                       520         flexible cantilever arm                                           522         base                                                              523         frame plate                                                       524         right angle stiffener wall                                        525         mounting pin                                                      526         gear                                                              530         film drive sprocket                                               532         zero locking pawl                                                 534         pivot axle                                                        536         stop finger on 532                                                538         cylindrical surface on 500                                        540         radial slot in upper surface of 500                               542         locking tooth                                                     544         inward facing saw toothed ratchet                                             in 486                                                            546         release lever                                                     548         access hole in 478                                                550, 552    notches in ledge 386                                              554         entrance to film track within                                                 camera                                                            562         unexposed film chamber                                            563         flexible film scroller                                            564         exposed film chamber                                              566         film guide track between 562 and                                              564                                                               568         exposure chamber                                                  570, 572    side rails on 566                                                 574, 576    side rails on 386                                                 578, 580    guide wedges at ends of 386                                       582         downward boss on 74                                               584         camera drive assembly                                             586         tubular housing                                                   588         mounting flange                                                   590, 592    bearings                                                          594         internally splined counter bore in                                            476                                                               596         torque transmission pawl                                          598         pivot                                                             600         spring                                                            602         driven gear                                                       604         encoder disk                                                      605         sensor flag                                                       606         sensor                                                            608         bracket                                                           610         camera door opening mechanism                                     612         L-shaped frame                                                    614         mounting flange to underside of 12                                616         rotary actuator                                                   618         cylindrical spacer                                                620         sensor flag                                                       622         arcuate portion                                                   624, 626    sensors                                                           628         door opening arm                                                  630         slot through 12                                                   632         door engaging hook                                                634         ramp portion                                                      635         thrust washer                                                     β      ramp angle                                                        636         slot                                                              637         flat washer                                                       638         angled side wall                                                  639         bolt                                                              640         catch protrusion                                                  γ     catch angle                                                       641         outside edge of 638                                               642         aperture in 478                                                   644, 646    stops for 622                                                     654         frame member                                                      656         mounting flange to 12                                             658         backwardly extended support                                                   flange                                                            660         linear actuator                                                   662         actuator shaft                                                    664         actuation end of 666                                              666         camera trigger actuating lever                                    668         pivot                                                             670         engagement end                                                    672         cross bar                                                         674         sensor to sense 676                                               676         darkened sector on 500                                            676a        leading edge of 676                                               676b        black mark                                                        676c        infrared absorbing mark                                           678         sensor flag                                                       680         sensor                                                            682         mounting bracket                                                  684         probe                                                             686         semi-circular tip                                                 688         stop flat                                                         690         mounting bracket                                                  692         vertical member                                                   694, 696    sensors for 388, 390                                              698         flash sensor                                                      700         bracket                                                           701         sensor for flash ready light                                      702         bracket                                                           704         film strip in camera                                              706         angled end edge                                                   708         drive motor                                                       710         drive shaft                                                       712         bracket                                                           714         eye bolt                                                          716         eye bolt                                                          720         outer shell half                                                  724, 726    end disks                                                         728         radial lip                                                        730         strip of light lock material                                      732, 734    depending actuation lips                                          736         inner shell half                                                  738, 740    end disks                                                         742         radial lip                                                        744         strip of light lock material                                      746, 748    depending flanges                                                 750         spool                                                             752         teeth                                                             754         film thread up scroll or guide                                    756         central bore                                                      758         triangular spring                                                 760         central shaft                                                     762         cylindrical portion of 760                                        764         retainer cap                                                      766         externally accessible drive shaft                                             coupling                                                          768         internally splined counterbore                                    780         knife frame member                                                782         mounting bracket                                                  784, 786    parallel guide rails on 780                                       785, 787    parallel guide rails on 788                                       788         knife holder                                                      790         knife blade                                                       792         angled cutting edge                                               794         actuator finger                                                   796         slot in 780                                                       798         J-shaped knife bed                                                800         edge of 798                                                       802         slot                                                              804         actuator tabs on 788                                              806         slot in 808                                                       808         knife cover plate                                                 810         top lip                                                           812         bottom flange                                                     814         fastener tab                                                      816         exit slit                                                         818, 820    leaf springs                                                      822         slot                                                              824, 826    spring pockets                                                    827         springs                                                           828         slider                                                            829         keeper plate                                                      830         slot                                                              832         rearwardly angled arm                                             834         slot                                                              836         back cover plate                                                  838         top flange                                                        840, 842    film strip guides                                                 844         image relief recess                                               846         hinge                                                             847         hinge pin                                                         848, 850    hooks                                                             852         rotational stop                                                   854         ramp                                                              856         film guide member                                                 858, 860    film strip edge guides                                            862         image relief recess                                               864         tab                                                               866         top plate                                                         867         cartridge retainer lever                                          867a        pivot                                                             867b        spring mounting post                                              867c        spring                                                            867d        finger                                                            868         nest for 86                                                       870, 872    sensor flags                                                      871, 873    sensors                                                           874         driver gear                                                       876         timing pulley                                                     878         timing belt                                                       880         timing pulley                                                     882         tension adjustment arm                                            884         pivot                                                             886         hinge for 50                                                      888         controller                                                        890         light-tight dividing wall                                         ______________________________________                                    

While my invention has been shown and described with reference toparticular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understandthat other variations in form and detail may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of my invention.

While my invention has been shown and described with reference toparticular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understandthat other variations in form and detail may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to make and use it, I claim as new and desire tosecure Letters Patent for:
 1. A photographic camera of a type includingan external housing having a movable closure giving access to a filmguide track within the camera, the guide track extending between anunexposed film chamber and an exposed film chamber, a rotatable sprocketfor driving film along said guide track, and a driven gear operativelyconnected to rotate said sprocket, characterized by:a couplingaccessible externally of said housing and operatively connected to saiddriven gear, said driven gear and said coupling being mounted for axialmovement in said housing; an anti-backup gear mounted for rotation andaxial movement with said driven gear; and means for preventing reverserotation of said anti-backup gear in a first axial position of saidcoupling and for allowing rotation of said driven gear in eitherdirection in a second axial position of said coupling.
 2. A cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein said means for preventing and allowingcomprises:a pawl resiliently mounted within said housing, said pawlcomprising a locking tooth for engaging said anti-backup gear in saidfirst axial position and a cam surface engaged by said anti-backup gearas said coupling moves to said second axial position, said cam surfacebeing configured to move said pawl and pull said locking tooth out ofengagement with said anti-backup gear.
 3. A camera according to claim 2,wherein said coupling, said anti-backup gear and said driven gear aremounted coaxially.
 4. A camera according to claim 2, wherein said camsurface moves radially inwardly at one end of said anti-backup gear, toenable said locking tooth to reengage said anti-backup gear when saidcoupling moves to said first axial position.
 5. A camera according toclaim 1, wherein said sprocket is mounted coaxially with an intermediategear which meshes with said driven gear, said driven gear having anaxial length sufficient to enable said driven gear to remain meshed withsaid intermediate gear as said driven gear moves between said first andsecond axial positions.
 6. A camera according to claim 1, wherein saidcoupling, said anti-backup gear and said driven gear are mountedcoaxially.
 7. A camera according to claim 1, wherein said driven gearand said sprocket are geared one to one.